Biosafety
The purpose of the biosafety program is to reduce or eliminate exposure of individuals and the environment to potentially hazardous biological agents. A breach in biosafety practices facilitates transmission of infection from patients to health care workers, other patients and attendants. Adherence to standard precautions (universal precautions) is a major component of restricting the spread of infection. Biosafety is achieved in the laboratory by implementing various degrees of laboratory control and containment, through laboratory design and access restrictions, personnel expertise and training, use of containment equipment, and safe methods of managing infectious materials in a laboratory setting.